Article: The Minnesota Wild Face An Arena Funding Challenge

[Cray McCally]

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[Sam]

Hmmm… sure sounds like Grand Casino’s problem.

[Scalptrash]

Not surprising at all in this state. Priorities.

[Dis-allowed display name]

The plans call for MOSTLY improvements for revenue to the team (which adds to the value of the team for the owner, and slightly more bathrooms.  I don't see any reason that this is a "need" rather than a want. 

 

If the state throws in $50 million, I am not going to cry because they have lost 20 times that to fraud and don't seem to care, but let's call it what it is, a request for public money to benefit the owner with little adding to fan experience.

 

I also think you should establish a winning franchise before you ask for more cash.

Edited 9 hours ago by Dis-allowed display name

[MrCheatachu]

I'm a big fan of the Wild, I'm a big fan of St. Paul.

Hell, I'm even a big fan of using public money to support public infrastructure.

If we're going to expect to use public money for funding this private area while waiving our hands that it 'increases taxes' I'd like to see a non-partisan analysis of that.  

Using public money to remodel their bathrooms doesn't seem like it's going to impact the number of visitors.  Let me know when the first big touring act decides to pass up St. Paul because 'well the bathrooms seemed a little outdated' and then we can talk about how much tax revenue was missed out on.

[FredJohnson]

[AKwildkraken]

Maybe Kaprizov will chip in?

[TCMooch]

If we are using tax payer money to fund stadiums then all games should be televised to state residents free of charge. Until that happens, all these publicly funded stadiums can fuck right off.

Threaten to leave the state--I don't give a shit. People are worried about putting fucking food on the table right now or having a roof over their head with inflation.

[1Brotherbill]

I would one hundred percent be in on any money given to the renovate the stadium if two things are addressed.  

One the Rivercenter Parking ramp needs to be addressed.  That ramp is going to collapse one day and it will make national news if not international news.  When you have combat netting strung on the ceiling to prevent concrete from falling on people, you might have a problem.  This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed with or without the Wild being involved.

Two address the walkway on the Kellog Boulevard side of the arena.  We all know the area.  By the escalators where the walkway goes from fifty feet wide to like 10 feet wide.  Add in "Barb the Usher" yelling at people to keep it moving and it becomes a stressful time.  The person that designed that for the stadium should really consider a different job path. 

These two things need to be addressed and I would be ok with the funding.